Ministry Resources
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A Tale of Two Fishermen
Did you realize that day wasn’t the first time Andrew and Peter had met Jesus? It’s true. According to John 1, they had both encountered Jesus much earlier while Andrew was a follower of John the Baptist far away from the Sea of Galilee.
Are You Reflecting or Directing?
Let me admit this right up front—I’m a child of the ‘60’s. Although I grew up in Waco, Texas, our family spent most summers in Boulder, Colorado where my Dad taught summer classes at Colorado University. Talk about a clash of cultures!
The Secret Place
But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place;and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Matthew 6:6
Psalm 139
Psalm 139 invites us into a profound exploration of the intimate relationship we share with our Creator. In its verses, we encounter the comforting truth that God knows us intimately, from the depths of our thoughts to the intricacies of our being. The psalmist marvels at the inescapable presence of God, acknowledging that no corner of existence is hidden from His Divine gaze.
The Historical, Biblical, and Spiritual Significance of the Advent Season
The Advent season, with its rich tapestry of traditions and symbols, has evolved over the centuries to become a cherished time of anticipation and reflection for Christians worldwide. Let’s explore the historical development of Advent, tracing its roots from the early Christian church to the diverse practices observed in contemporary times.
Relating Imagination to Worship
Worshiping the true and living Triune God, at its core, is participating in the mystery of reverentially approaching the morally beautiful, Supreme and Transcendent One through the work of Christ as energized by His Holy Spirit.
Embodying Grace
When it comes to personal evangelism, feelings of obligation, guilt, and duty have never been effective motivators for me. On the other hand, experiences of God’s provision, accessibility, love, and forgiveness naturally flow out of me in Gospel witness to others.
A Biblical Definition of an Artist
The first area of expertise for the “artist” involves craftsmanship. The term craftsman seems the best biblical expression for what people today think of as an artist. Certainly, there are numbers of different kinds of crafts, industries, and trades noted in the Scriptures. There are at least nineteen different artistic crafts mentioned in the Bible. But craftsman seems to be one of those wide-ranging terms, a class term, that serves as an umbrella under which exist many more specific craft areas.
The Importance of Public Worship
When people worship in public, their worship is more fully facilitated by their environment, the influences of worship leadership, their understanding of theology, and the cultural contexts surrounding them. People come together, in some sort of “environment,” to participate in human activities, that involve metaphors and symbols. When the experience is genuine, fused with reverence and faith focused on God, the worshiper often comes to a point where the “whole” of the experience is greater than the sum of its parts.
Foundational Habits All Disciples Practice
The four Gospels articulate four foundational habits the LORD Jesus Himself practiced and that He advocated for the first disciples. We’ve already discussed companioning in a previous blog post (The Importance of Companioning with God) but there are three more to consider:
1) Daily meeting God in His Scriptures (the Word);
2) Daily connecting with supportive relationships (fellowship) with fellow believers; and,
3) Daily serving others on God’s behalf (serving).
Ethnic Arts — A Key to Mission Strategy
Missionaries today stand increasingly aware of the need to acculturate as much as possible their message and work. Dr. Leonard Rascher of Moody Bible Institute has stated that “the overriding objective (of missionary training) . . . is to sensitize . . . (those) from the majority culture with regard to (the nuances of cross-cultural communications) as it relates to those in minority cultures.” Moreover, it is obvious that those in mission work must continually press toward increasing their sensitivity to the dynamics of culture. Only in this manner can we even attempt to avoid the mistakes of our past.
An Interview with Melodie Tunney
We are excited to introduce you to a new member of our ACT Intl staff. Meet Melodie Tunney (also known as “Mel”). Melodie has been involved in the Christian music industry in multiple ways – as a studio singer, songwriter, and artist touring with First Call and also with her husband Dick. Together, they have won 10 Dove Awards, and received 3 Grammy nominations. We are happy to now have her on our team! Our Founder and President, Byron Spradlin, recently spoke with Mel and here’s their conversation.
The Essence of Worship
While people may attempt to categorize worship as public or personal (corporate or private), all worship is personal. Musicians may lead a congregation in corporate praise but, that which goes on in the heart–communication between God and the worshiper–can only be experienced personally. And every person’s worship experience is different. This is because worship is experienced in the heart.
Sowing and Reaping is A Process
God created the sowing and reaping process (Genesis 1), and it is just that—a process. As with any process, there is a predictable and tangible outcome that comes from following the guidelines or principles that process requires.
Who is God?
If worship is to be central in all areas of our church life, then the question must be asked, “Who is God”? To answer this question, four major theological realities must be articulated: 1) God is supreme, 2) God is holy, 3) God is the Creator, and 4) God is hesed-love.
Evangelism, Imagination, and Artists — A Critical Mix for Modern
My life’s work and my passion are to motivate the Church toward thinking more deeply and seriously about the importance of creatives and artists who serve as “imaginative expression specialists.” And, toward these ends, my goal is for pastors and others in church leadership to treat singers, musicians, fine artists, dancers, and others as not just performers but as key strategists on their evangelism and outreach teams. Why? Because God has gifted artists with the ability to uniquely communicate his infinite, unfathomable transcendence.
The Importance of a Biblical Definition of Imagination
It’s important to have a biblical definition of imagination and imaginal intelligence. We know from Genesis 1:26, 27 that humans are made in God’s image. As such, we possess imaginal intelligence. Dogs, for instance, have instinct; people have imagination.
Helping Your Child Love Scripture: Practical Ways to Cultivate a Lifelong Habit of Bible Reading
Helping children develop a love for Scripture is one of the greatest gifts a parent can offer. The Bible provides guidance, comfort, and a clear picture of God’s character. Yet many parents feel unsure about how to encourage their child to read it regularly. The good news is that the process does not have to feel overwhelming. With patience, age-appropriate tools, and consistent modeling, you can help your child grow in curiosity and delight as they engage God’s Word.
Contract Services Explained: The Quiet Backbone of Many Ministries
Launching a ministry often begins with a moment of conviction. A pastor senses a call to disciple young leaders. A musician wants to reach people through worship. A filmmaker believes stories can open hearts to the gospel. The vision is clear, and the mission feels urgent.
Seven Important Steps Toward Becoming a Worship Leader
If you have a heartfelt desire and a specific calling to become a worship leader, then you’ve chosen a ministry profession that goes back to the earliest days of the Israelites where God’s people were led in their praises by those with musical gifts. I’ve been blessed to serve on staff as the Worship Leader at several churches through the years. What a privilege, as well as a responsibility! To have this position and do it well involves growing in your own personal relationship with the Lord and then developing the necessary skills to effectively lead others through music. Here are seven steps to help guide you on your journey towards becoming an effective worship leader.